The text
A.
"Nonconforming landscaping" is defined as any combination of plant materials, water features, and irrigation systems which does not conform to the site coverage, percentage distribution, installation, maintenance, or other requirements of this chapter.
B.
Any landscaping that is made nonconforming by the provisions of this chapter or any previous ordinance regulating landscape coverage, distribution, installation, or maintenance shall not be required to be improved to meet the minimum standards of this chapter unless improvements to the site are made as outlined in subsection C of this section.
C.
Whenever improvements to an existing building or development site are proposed and the value of such improvements is equal to or greater than fifty percent of the total assessed value of existing property improvements, as determined by the community development director, then all nonconforming landscaping shall be required to be improved to meet the minimum standards of this chapter.
(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).